Though Game Of Thrones may be coming to an end, HBO is looking to pick up with another fantasy series to sate the weeping masses. This time, they're drawing from author Philip Pullman's bestselling His Dark Materials novels, bringing forth a star-studded cast of Dafne Keen (Logan), James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson, and Lin Manuel Miranda, among many familiar faces; even Game Of Thrones alumni James Cosmos appears to be involved in this one, which bodes well for those seeking a loose connective thread. In any case, the series appears to be ambitious in scope and scale, as those familiar with the source material can attest.
Today, the debut trailer has arrived, providing a first glimpse at both the tone and stylistic direction of the upcoming series. For those unfamiliar with the plot, wondering why there's a veritable zoo moving freely within society, rest assured all things will be answered with time - or a simple search. In the meantime, look to HBO's press release for more details:
“The first season follows Lyra, a seemingly ordinary but brave young woman from another world. Her search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children, and becomes a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. As she journeys through the worlds, including our own, Lyra meets Will, a determined and courageous boy. Together, they encounter extraordinary beings and dangerous secrets, with the fate of both the living — and the dead — in their hands.”
You might recall The Golden Compass, a 2007 film based on the same source material, in which an immensely badass polar bear is featured prominently. Fear not - the polar bear's presence is certainly felt in this go-around, and we can only imagine His Dark Materials will be a visual feast whenever it ultimately airs. It's already said that BBC - who is co-producing along with HBO - has deemed this their most expensive series thus far. Check out the trailer below, and sound off - will you be tuning in?